The morning routine is a solo process. Flip on the coffee pot, jack up the blind, feed the cat who’s been nudging at my face since dawn. The regimented process occasionally gets a 32-pound cog thrown into the well-oiled machine in the form of a 5-year-old boy. If the routine generates too much noise – and in my 100-year-old home a mouse farting can shake the foundation – a … [Read more...] about How Do I Explain Our Home Security System To My 5-Year-Old?
Dad
My Favorite Father’s Day
I’ve been a father for thirty-four years, which means I’ve been the singular object of my family’s affection for at least one day on thirty-four occasions. When my father-in-law and my father were still alive, I’d usually wake up to a sweet Father’s Day welcome and then drag myself, my kids, and our parenting gear to various parts of town to celebrate first with my dad, and … [Read more...] about My Favorite Father’s Day
Anti-parenting makes me sad
I watched an old episode of Bill Maher last night. He was interviewing Dave Barry the humorist, and discussing some of the content in his new book Live Right and Find Happiness Dave likes to reminisce that years ago parents used to send their kids out to play, and say, “Be back by September." The implication is that we over-parent today and that both parents and kids were … [Read more...] about Anti-parenting makes me sad
Shittake Mushrooms! How to handle when children swear
No matter how much you try to shelter your child, they'll probably have the vocabulary to curse like a proverbial sailor sooner than you might have thought. Between television, music, and just being in public, "bad language" is everywhere.This isn't a fatherhood lecture, so whether or not you think cursing is acceptable is your choice. Still, there are … [Read more...] about Shittake Mushrooms! How to handle when children swear
What Dads Really want for Father’s Day (It’s not an Apple Watch!)
You are right that most of us men love a new toy for Father's Day. And yes a nice 'lap kiss' can make our day! BUT that isn't what we deeply desire. Knowing what your partner truly wants and how to give it to them is a key step in supporting your family to thrive. Of course it's hard to do that on a consistent basis and that's why Father's Day is such a great … [Read more...] about What Dads Really want for Father’s Day (It’s not an Apple Watch!)